Dufresne paused, weighing Benno’s words, considering whether to ignore him and add more specifications to the charges already hanging over him, or to throw in her lot as a co-conspirator. Looking at her, Benno couldn’t tell which way she might go.
Finally, she spoke up. “You’re talking about mutiny.”
Benno favored her with his grimmest smile. “I’m talking about doing what’s right rather than what’s expedient. But yes…I’m talking about mutiny.”
She pushed away from the bars and backed away from her two prisoners. Benno’s heart shrank. If she talked to the CO, XO, or CMC about the call to insurrection he had just made, the captain wouldn’t bother with a court-martial or CO’s Mast. Palmer and Johnson would shove him right out an airlock, themselves.
Instead, she smiled grimly and said, “If you’re really gonna mutiny, you’re gonna need some help. And I know just the people to strong-arm first.”
* * * * *
Chapter Six: Mio
Mio struggled, but the man holding her was far stronger. When she tried to elbow him, he wrapped an arm around her, pinning her arms to her sides as he lifted her from the ground in a tight hug. Her feet free, she tried to kick him in the groin.
One kick scored, eliciting a grunt. The man set her down, although the arm around her never loosened.
“I’m trying—ugh—not to hurt you,” the man whispered in her ear, “but if you do that again, I will.” He didn’t sound angry…but he also didn’t sound like he was kidding, and she was at his mercy. Mio stilled.
“Did you see where they went?” a gruff male voice asked in a stage whisper.
“Yeah, boss, they went into the same bush this girl just came out of,” another male voice answered.
“I see. So, she was cavorting with the enemy, eh? We’ll take her back to camp. Maybe she knows something about them.” The gruff voice paused, then asked, “Where did the Turds go? Are they still in the bush?”
“I never saw them come out. They must still be in there.”
“Well, check it out.”
“You want me to go through the bush?”
The man didn’t sound very excited about it, Mio thought. He obviously knew what the firethorn bush was, so he was probably a local. In fact, their voices sounded normal, not strangely accented like the Terrans. They had to be locals; she was safe. She breathed a sigh of relief. It would all work out.
“You’re about her size,” the gruff voice said. “Go under it and see.”
Sliding and scratching noises followed the command, and then several minutes passed before the noises returned.
“Well?” the gruff voice asked.
“They’re gone. There’s some sort of doorway behind the bush that goes into the side of the hill and then some tunnels. They must have known we were following them and escaped through the tunnels.”
“Well, we’ll get them when they come back. Stay here and watch for them until nightfall. If you see them, come grab us at the camp.”
“Sure thing, Boss.”
“All right,” the gruff voice said, “bring her along, and let’s go.”
“Here’s how this is going to work,” the man holding Mio said. “I’m going to pick you up and carry you. It may not be fun, but I will do the best I can. If you struggle or fight me in any way, I’m going to make you walk. Blindfolded, you’ll trip and fall. A lot. You look like you’ve already seen some abuse; I’d recommend you just let me carry you. Got it?”
“Yes.” Mio was tired of walking, anyway; if the man wanted to carry her, that was fine with her.
Until the man threw her over his shoulder, and she was forced to hang upside down as the man jogged to wherever he was going. Every step dug his shoulder into her stomach, and the bag over her head made it hard for her to breathe. Already battered and bruised, her body protested throughout the 10-minute or so journey, and she spent most of the trip gagging and trying not to throw up, even though her stomach was empty.
Finally, the man stopped and put her down. She heard activity all around her and several voices, both male and female.
“Don’t get any ideas,” the man behind her warned. He put a massive hand on her shoulder to hold her in place.
“Take the bag off her,” a female voice ordered.
The man behind her pulled the sack off Mio’s head, and she found herself in the center of some sort of camp. Many tents were scattered about the area, and a couple of tractors were on the outskirts, their motors providing electricity for some of the gear. A giant camouflage net was strung from the trees above them.
Four men and two women stood arrayed in front of her. They all looked at Mio as if trying to determine what lower form of life she was. Mio realized with a shock that she didn’t have her shirt on and folded her arms across her bra to cover herself as best she could.
“It doesn’t look like they were very gentle with her,” one of the women said. Short and dark-haired, she had the muscles and tan of a farmer and looked somewhat familiar to Mio. “Maybe she’ll be willing to tell us what she knows about them.”
“Maybe,” the tall man in the center of the group replied. Mio recognized him as the gruff-voiced man. Unlike the others in the group, he looked soft and flabby. Mio pegged him immediately from his dress and mannerisms. Aristo. The clothes had seen better days, perhaps, but they were nicer and more formal than what any farmer would have worn. “That’s why I brought her back, anyway.”
The man turned back to Mio. “We know you were servicing the Terrans. We want to know what else you gave them. Information about us, perhaps? Maybe you’ve been spying on us?”
“What?” Mio asked. “Providing services?”
“Yes, we caught you red-handed.”
Mio’s brows knit. This wasn’t going the way she expected. If they were suggesting what she thought they were…
“Come, come,” the aristo said. “We know you were having sex with them. We saw them go into the bushes, and then you came out only partially dressed. They didn’t chase you, so they were obviously satisfied with what they got.”
“That’s gross!” Mio exclaimed. “You think I had sex with… with…the Turds?”
“Think? No, young lady, we know you did. We caught you. Now, things will go a lot better for you if you tell us everything you know about them.”
“I didn’t have sex with them!”
“Okay, then perhaps you…well, never mind. I am less concerned about the details of what you did or didn’t do with them than I am with finding out as much as I can about the Terran soldiers.”
“I didn’t do anything with them!” Mio yelled. “I fought them, and I killed them!”
“You fought them?” the aristo asked with a sneer. “Really, you expect us to believe that? You’re just a little girl.”
“She is pretty messed up,” the man behind Mio said. He turned her around so the group could see her back, and Mio got her first look at her captor. A mountain of a man, the farmer was well over six feet tall and nearly twice as wide as Mio. His arms were easily bigger around than her legs and bulged with more muscles than Mio had ever seen. If his tractor stopped working, Mio suspected he could pull the plow by himself.
“For all we know, the Terrans like it rough,” the aristo said with a shrug. “For that matter, maybe she does too.” His eyes bored into Mio’s. “Tell us, girl, where did the soldiers go when they were through with you? Somewhere down the tunnels you had sex with them in?”
“I told you, I didn’t have sex with them! They killed the foster family I was staying with. Why would I want to do anything with them?”
“Who knows?” the aristo replied. “Maybe they paid well.”
“They didn’t pay me anything!” Mio said, stomping her foot. She instantly regretted it as pain coursed through her body. Why wouldn’t he listen? Because she was a girl?
“So, you did it for free?” the aristo asked.
“No! I got trapped in the tunnels while I was running away from—”
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“A likely story,” the aristo said, cutting her off.
“Let her tell her story,” the second woman, a tall blond, said. “Rushing to judgment is one thing, but let’s hear her side before you totally condemn her.” The woman turned to Mio, and her eyes hardened. “Make no mistake, young lady; you’re in a lot of trouble. Still, I would like to hear your side. I’m warning you, though, if you lie to us, your punishment will be…severe.”
A chill swept through Mio, and she shivered. The way she said it, there could only be one punishment the woman had in mind.
“Yes, ma’am,” Mio replied. “I want to tell you my story, and I’ve been telling the truth all along.”
“Why don’t you start at the beginning?”
“Okay, it all started when the Terrans arrived…” Mio told the story, or as much as she could remember. She related the death of the Rogers, her journey north and its premature ending, her trip through the tunnels, and the battle with the soldiers. “And when I finally got out of the tunnels, your men grabbed me and brought me here.”
“And that’s the whole truth?” the woman asked.
“As much as I can remember. I don’t remember what happened after I fell into the tunnels, and some of the trip is kind of hazy.”
“She’s got a lot of dried blood in her hair,” the man behind Mio said. “She probably had a concussion. May still, for that matter.”
“I don’t believe it!” the aristo said. “You aren’t seriously considering believing her. None of her story can be confirmed. It’s pretty damned convenient the soldiers she fought somehow fell into a bottomless pit.”
“They didn’t fall,” Mio corrected. “I pushed them.”
“I can think of at least one detail that can be corroborated,” the tall woman said. “What was the name of the family you were staying with?”
“The Rogers,” Mio replied.
“Do we have anyone who knows the Rogers?”
“I’ve heard the name,” one of the other men said. “Former army guy, I think. Kind of reclusive, but that’s all I know.”
“I can confirm it,” a voice behind her announced.
Mio turned, and her knees went weak. It was Diego. He was far dirtier than she had ever seen him, but it only accentuated his tan and made him even more handsome.
“You know the family?” the tall woman asked.
“Yeah, I know the Rogers. Jimmy Rogers is my best friend. I know the girl, too. Her name is Mio.”
“What kind of person is she? Do you think she’s helping the Terrans?”
“As a person, she’s a pain in the butt.” Mio’s smile wilted. “She was always following us around and wouldn’t leave us alone. But helping the Terrans? I doubt it. Her father is in the Navy and out fighting them somewhere in space.”
“Is that true?” the tall woman asked.
“Yes,” Mio said. At least Diego vouched for her, even if he said mean things about her. Mio pulled out her memory cube. “I could show you, if you happen to have batteries for this.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary.” The tall woman nodded to the man behind Mio. “You can let her go. I don’t think she’s a threat to us.”
“Seriously?” the aristo asked. “You’re going to accept that crazy story on the word of a kid? Are you out of your mind?”
“It’s decided,” the woman said.
“Well, it’s your funerals. When they come and kill you, hopefully it will happen too fast for her to mention my name.”
“I don’t know your name,” Mio said.
“Good. Keep it that way.” The aristo turned and bowed to the group. “Good luck with her. I have to return to town before I’m missed. I will come back when I can.” He turned and stalked out of the encampment.
“Um, what are you going to do with me?” Mio asked.
“Nothing,” the tall woman said. “You are free to go after you promise not to tell anyone about what you’ve seen here today.”
“I would be happy to promise that,” Mio replied, “especially since I don’t know what it is I’ve seen. I would just ask for one favor.”
“I think I can find you a new shirt,” the short woman said. She turned and began walking toward one of the tents.
“That wasn’t what I was going to ask,” Mio said, “but it would certainly be appreciated.” She turned to the tall woman and added, “I was just going to ask for directions.”
“Where is it you want to go?”
“Can you tell me where I might go to find the resistance? I want to join up.”
“Why do you want to do that?” the tall woman asked, her eyes hard again.
“The Turds killed my foster family and are keeping me from seeing my father. I’ve got nowhere else to go.”
“In that case, the directions are easy. You’re here. We’re the resistance.”
It was Mio’s turn to look skeptical as she surveyed the camp. “This is the resistance?”
“Yes, it is,” the tall woman replied. “Were you expecting something else?”
“Yes. I expected soldiers, with guns, and military stuff. No disrespect meant, since I’m one too, but most of you look like farmers.”
“Most of us are farmers, or were, anyway, before the Terrans burned our farms,” the short woman said, returning with a shirt that she handed Mio. “Many of us have military training though, and we intend to fight back.”
“Well, then I want to join. What do I do?”
The group chuckled. “She’s a real go-getter,” one of the men said.
“Yes, she is,” the tall woman said. “We need to temper her attitude with some training.” She turned to Diego. “What was your name?”
“It’s Diego, Miss Welch.”
“Diego. You said you know this young lady?”
“Yes, ma’am. Her name is Mio.”
“Great. Since you vouched for her, she’s going to be your charge. Make sure you show her the ropes and help her get trained.”
“But…”
“Is there a problem with what I asked you to do?”
“Uh, no ma’am. C’mon, Mio; I’ll show you around.”
* * *
Mio followed Diego as he walked toward one of the tractors, marveling at her good luck. Well, it wasn’t all good. The Rogers getting killed was bad, as well as the whole Turd arrival, and her time in the tunnels hadn’t been very good, but now here she was with Diego in charge of training her. Things had turned out pretty well. It would be better if her father were here, but it was okay for now. Diego looked cute from behind.
“I heard your story,” Diego said, interrupting her train of thought. “I suspect you’re probably pretty hungry and thirsty, so we’ll get you fed first.”
With everything that had gone on since her capture by the resistance, Mio hadn’t had time to think about food and drink, but the mention of it brought it back to the fore. While she didn’t really want to eat in front of Diego, she needed food right now!
Diego led her to a pallet of thin boxes. He looked at the pile, pulled out one of the boxes, and handed it to her. He took a bottle of water for himself from a second pallet and sat on a nearby log. When Mio sat next to him, he slid away from her, looking annoyed. Some things never changed.
“What is this?” Mio asked, indicating the package.
“It’s one of the military’s pre-packaged meals. It’s called a Meal, Commercially and Reliably Auto-Processed. The folks that have served in the military hate ‘em. They have a saying; I’m hungry enough to eat CRAP.’”
“Well, I certainly am. I haven’t eaten in days.”
“You’ll want to be careful to eat it slowly and drink lots of water, then. It will expand in your stomach and make you puke if you eat too much, too fast.”
Diego didn’t know what he was talking about, Mio thought as she took a bite; it was the best food she’d ever eaten, and it was all she could do to force herself to eat slowly. Dehydrated to almost nothing, it didn’t seem like much until
it interacted with the water she was drinking in her stomach and expanded to many times its size. In minutes, she felt overfull and was in danger of throwing up.
“How long have you been here?” Mio asked, trying not to think about the discomfort in her stomach.
“Since right after occupation. Five days.”
“What’s happened since then? I’ve kind of been in the dark.” She smiled at her pun.
Diego didn’t smile; he frowned instead. “Look, do we have to talk about it?”
“Oh, sorry. I’m sure you’ve lost friends and family.”
“We’ve all lost friends and family!” Diego shouted, jumping to his feet. “How can you not understand that?”
Mio felt a flush creeping up her cheeks as everyone within earshot turned and looked at them. Even worse, she had somehow made Diego mad at her. “I do understand,” she said in a low voice, not understanding why Diego was being so hostile. She tried to defuse the sudden tension. “I lost the Rogers. Even though they weren’t my real family, I’ve lived with them most of my life.”
“I know that! Jimmy was my best friend!”
So that was it. “Are you mad at me because I remind you of him?”
“No, I’m mad at you because I was just starting to be accepted as one of the resistance, and I was looking forward to getting to pay back the Turds for killing my family and friends. Now, I have to babysit a helpless little girl.”
“I’m not helpless!” Mio exclaimed, jumping to her feet. “I survived for a bunch of days on my own and killed two of the Terrans all by myself!”
“So, you say. And even if you did, it was only because you got lucky.”
“Lucky? You call falling into a cave and nearly killing myself lucky? You call wandering around in the dark by myself for five days lucky? Maybe I did get lucky in having a big hole to push the Terrans into, but I was the one who did it. Me! I was brave enough to attack them rather than just run from them. Who else can say that? What have you done that even comes close?”
Mio put her hands on her hips, daring Diego to contradict her.
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